Description

Some of the most special routes in the Catskills are the ravines of Kaaterskill Clove. These drainages are long and are require a bit of hiking to get up into what are generally small tiers of waterfall ice. The most popular of them is Buttermilk Falls and will generally be very crowded during the weekends. The top pitch of Wildcat Ravine is also very popular and can be accessed by topping out Buttermilk and then rappelling in. Hilyer and Viola are more moderate outings but will provide for a more wilderness experience as you make your way off the beaten path.

Buttermilk Falls is a prominent gully high on the left as you're heading up to Kaaterskill Clove from Palenville. Approach is well worth it for the 6 pitch NEI 3-4 climb. This climb has six fun pitches with about a one minute walk following each step. The steps are anywhere between 40 and 80 feet high. About half are WI3 and half WI4. The final pitch is a pillar that is by far the tallest, toughest and latest to come in.Standard approach is from the parking lot on the left side of the road as yo...[more]Browse More Classics in NY